Hello Folks,
SOTA
I will hopefully be able to enter a report giving information about a SOTA activation on Goat Fell by our two elder statesman Hughie G4UME and Paddy on Thursday. Martin M0ZIF got up early with every intention of leading them but had to back out at the last minute due to ill health.
80m Mast Disaster
We had a disaster on Wednesday when the 80m mast broke as DX-pedition members tried to put it up. This was due to wear and tear and nothing to do with the winds or bad techniques in putting it up.
Focus on our cooks (Food Glorious Food)
The focus on this blog will be on two of the most important members of the DX-pedition Mark and Paddy who have fed the troops and acted as our rapid emergency response team.
Mark and Paddy have kept us well fed with a full English Breakfast to start the day, Sandwiches for lunch and a monster of an evening meal of which I would defy anyone to claim they are hungry after eating it.
My favorite has to be the Sunday evening meal in the form of Roast lamb which is marinated over night in an array of herbs to bring the flavour out. Here's some pictures to help you understand what I am referring too.
Paddy Prior to Roasting
Paddy's Carvery
Roast Lamb, Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes Carrot and Swede, Cabbage, Pea's and Gravy
Damien and Andrew getting tucked in.
Hughie wondering where to start.
For those of you who have worked him on CW, this is Brendan with his (You have got to be joking face on as he wonders where to start)
and finally
Ian who knows exactly where to start!
Sunset on Sunday Night
Ian Operating a cats whisker.
Ian giving Smudge a little fuss.... She still looks like a kitten but is in fact 9 years old. I am told that she had a litter a little too early and this has stunted her growth.
I spent a little time with her and she would roll for you on command which was cute.
Reports on Band activity so far.
At the beginning of the week Brendan started activity sending CW and things have been that busy with him you have to book an appointment two days in advance in the hope of getting a short interview..... That's not because he is anti social, just merely that he seems to be working so many CW stations..... However I have a theory that he's pulling the wool over my eyes by recording a a few hours of activity and playing it back through the headphones as a loop.
Ian reported that he had a good run on 15m during Wednesday with many stations from Japan and Asiatic Russia and a Stateside station. This was done over Marks K3 Station.
Focus on G0VGS and his station
Pictures of Ian's Station
Ian's station has been run successfully for PSK 31 and Ian, Andrew, and Hughie
Andrew working 20m on Ian's K3
Heres a you tube link showing Andrew working 20m on Ian's K3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K6JmpTgySU
This picture of Steve operating the 80m ragchew station was taken by Ian using his iPhone from a distance of around 15ft and its not bad at all.
Focus on Martin M0ZIF's Station
It has not for the want of trying but the VHF/UHF station using Martins equipment has been something of a disappointment for him despite him putting a lot of personal effort and expense into his station especially on the antenna side. although I have been able to relay information from people wanting 6m contacts too him. Here is a short clip taken by Martin M0ZIF showing his antenna array as he pans his camera.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXTcCCIT3NQ&NR=1
Martins Station is a TS-2000 with an EP 925 Power Supply, LDG KT100 Tuner
LDG Tuner Specifications
• 0.1 to 125 watt power range (SSB and CW),
100W on 6M.
• 2000 memories for instantaneous band changing.
• Controlled from Kenwood Tuner button on the
transceiver.
• Works with any Kenwood radio that is
compatible with the AT-300 antenna tuner.
• Partial radio list: TS-50, TS-480, TS-570, TS-
690, TS-850, TS-870, TS-2000.
• Tuning time: 0.1 to 6 seconds full tune, 0.1
seconds memory tune.
• 1.8 to 54.0 MHz coverage. Built-in frequency
sensor.
• Tunes 4 to 800 ohm loads (16 to 150 on 6M), 4
to 3200 ohms with optional 4:1 Balun.
• For Dipoles, Verticals, Vs, Beams or any Coax
Fed Antenna.
• Optional external Balun allows tuning of random
length, long wire or ladder line fed antennas.
• Includes Kenwood interface cable and coax jumper. Ready to use right out of the box.
• Small Size Enclosure: 6.5L” x 6.5W” x 1.25H”.
• Weight: 2 pounds
I refer to the DX-pedition as being a K3 Convention with K3's forming the backbone of our radio operations at Drumla Farm. Heres a picture of one of the Workington Amateurs Steve operating one of the K3 Stations on 18MHz
A Lift on 80m
As usual with 80m signals, there have been ups and downs but none more so than with Bill G0GNE which has to be one of the more unusual contacts. He was operating from his sideloading Forklift
I am not going to spoil things for Bill by posting any more of his pictures.... Take a look on QRZ.com under his callsign G0NGE and you can learn more about him.....
Thanks for the call Bill it made me smile to hear about your working conditions in Leyland.
And in the best tradition of News at 10 and the Two Ronnie's...... And Finally!
Most Wanted
Sorry Hughie, I could not resist doing something with this picture after reviewing the pictures of the day.
Hughie G4UME the self proclaimed Elder Statesman of the group waited for a break in the showers and went out by himself to break the mast down into its component parts.... Well done that man.
For those who are regular visitors to the blog you may have noticed that I have had a whole load of fun at Hughie's expense..... But he is a treasure always there to lend a hand when the call goes out and in true old school style lets you know if he thinks your slacking.
For those who miss the first picture here it is:
That's it from this Blog
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